Tropical Storm Watch issued for Sylacauga, Talladega

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch through 12:45 a.m. on Saturday. The watch area includes Sylacauga and Talladega as well as many central Alabama counties.

A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm wind conditions are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.

Equivalent tropical storm force winds may reach 30-40 mph with gusts to 55 mph from early Sunday morning until Sunday afternoon. The greatest wind gusts are expected to be generally along and east of a line from Livinsgton to Tuscaloosa to Oneonta. Isolated tornadoes are also expected Sunday afternoon generally along and south of Interstate 85, with conditions improving Sunday night into Monday morning.

The NWS advises that moderate emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for significant strong winds of 58 to 73 mph and suggests securing property. Peak rainfall may total 4-8 inches, with some locally higher amounts.

Tropical Storm Nate is forecast to make landfall as a hurricane in the gulf coast region on Sunday morning. At 4:34 p.m., the storm was about 910 miles south of Birmingham and moving to the north-northwest at 21 miles per hour.